<i>we have lost many members, due to a strict adherence to the Old Customs, not the Faith, but the customs as closing the doors, not reaching out in any way to those in need of the faith. What is your suggestion to the on going problems, the unchanging pride of the fashions within the Church?</i>

A lot of things are going on here, Gregory. For one thing, you mention having lost members because of adherence to old customs. For another, we have the desire of the priest to keep the pews out in order that worship might be made easier (i.e. prostrations). It's sort of a tough call. You certainly don't want to pit yourself against the priest but at the same time, you bring out some important issues: reaching out to western society which for the most part would not take kindly to standing for two hours in a divine liturgy.

Personally, I appreciate pews because of a back problem. In addition, my wife who is new to both Orthodoxy and Christianity has basically said she would probably be unwilling to attend a Liturgy on a regular basis, which did not provide for seating. My vote would be in favor of the pews but only with the approval of the priest.